W. NICHOLSON.]

27

1.—12 a.

24. A great many who cart milk to the factory only use their carts for a certain part of the year, and the cart would have to lie idle in the shed ?—I do not think the Department would enforce that 25. In that case the regulation could be improved?—No Inspector would object. I do not read the regulation in that light. 26. Supposing, for instance, you brought a sheep home for human consumption? —It is anything objectionable which the regulation aims at. I should certainly prohibit the carrying of pigs. but not a dressed sheep or butcher's meat. 27. It largely depends on the tact of the Inspector?— Yes. 28. If you get a good Inspector he cau carry out the regulations without hurting any one. If you have a tactless man it would make it very hard for farmers?—No, I do not think he could make it very hard. Ido not think there would be any trouble working up to the regulations. 29. You do not know of any cases where there has been any hardship?— No. 30. Mr. Rhodes.] You said most dairy-farmers were working under similar conditions?—A great many. 31. Mr. Witty.} What do you think of the regulation preventing the use of a certain space around the shed? —You should not allow the cows to tramp about the place, and make a mess of it as some people do. 32. Mr. Rhodes.] You say there is nothing in the rule that no animal shall be at large. Could it be easily enforced?— What I take that to mean is that the cows may not be turned out around about a shed to make a mess. It is better to have them away. I agree with that. 33. And no sheep or horses to.be within 30 ft. of the cowshed? —Pigs should be kept 100 yards away. 34. You think this regulation is correct, that there should be a fence 30 ft. off from the shed? —All the better for it. You could use the ground for growing cabbages. 35. Would that not create a lot of dust?—l do not think so. 36. Hon. Mr. McNab.] How many cows do you milk?— Over 100. 37. Mr. Buddo.] Your experience does not extend to the small settlers who cannot afford to put up a large shed. Have you any experience of that class of settler? —I had a shed once which only held four cows. 38. Do you think it would be desirable to allow a concrete yard to be right close against the milking-yard, supposing there was a dust-proof fence between the two?—l do not know that the dust-proof fence would be much good. A strong wind would blow the dust right over the fence. 39. Mr. Macpherson.] I made some reference to the peculiar nature of the water in the Oamaru district?— Yes, I know of the water. We have numerous creameries there, and we have butter from that district better than from any other part. We put it down to the grass and the water. 40. And that water has been declared by one of our principal analysts as unfit for human consumption, and yet it makes the best butter?— That is so. 41. Do you think it wrong to bring in young heifers with the cows, for the purpose of quieting them, or heifers coming to calve?—lt is a thing I would not do myself. 42. In your opinion the regulation is necessary?— Yes, I would strongly object to it for a certain reason ?—lt might lead to cows slipping their calves. 43. Supposing you have a heifer within a month of calving, and you want to get her to the pen, would it not be a good thing to bring her in?—l would not think of it. 44. Mr. Lang.] You think there is no trouble in working up to these regulations?— No. 45. I suppose you only speak of people in a large way of business? —Oh, no! There is not so much in them even to the man in a small way. 46. Do you get cleaner milk from the backblocks places than from the more central places? —Yes. 47. Do you know that no on' settler in the backblocks could apply the regulations'} Do you not think it would be a hardshi to prevent a cow or calf to be at large within 30 ft.?—l should not have them as near as that. 48. Every milk-supplier I know would have to fence 30 ft. out around the four sides of his cowshed. That would be one hardship. Then, not allowing the farmer to use his milk-cart for anything else. A great number of dairymen have only one vehicle, and this would mean that they could not cart one dead pig, and could not take a sheep home for their own use. lam only giving these instances to show how very heavity the regulations would press on the struggling settler?— You are stretching the point a bit too far. No one with any common-sense would prevent a man taking home a dressed sheep. 49. lam speaking about the regulations?—l understand the regulation to read " any unclean thing." 50. Do you think it wrong for the settler with only one conveyance to take a pig, if properly dressed, to the works in his milk-cart? —No. 51. You object very strongly to timber being used? —I do not object strongly. I said concrete by all means. In some parts of the North Island it may be necessary to use timber. 52. But that is outside the regulations? Hon. Mr. McNab pointed out that it was not outside the regulations, which read: " concrete or other material." 53. Mr. Macpherson.] In regard to the distance at which buildings are required to be apart. I saw a place last year, 1,070 acres; on which there was not sufficient ground for the owner to build. He had to get permission from the local authorities to come a few feet on to the road-line. What would you do?—I should erect a shed back in a gully. 54. I was just as sceptical as you formerly, but there are many places in the North Island